MSI Press Blog

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  This week's topic is hybrid publication . Times are changing, and so is the publishing industry. As a publisher, I see it every day: the increasing challenges of traditional publication, the surge in self-publishing, and the rising role of hybrid publication as a practical and promising middle ground. Let’s talk about why hybrid publishing is no longer a fringe option—it’s a realistic and necessary path for many first-time authors. Why Traditional Publishing Is No Longer the Default Traditional publishing, once the gold standard, is becoming less viable—especially for debut authors. The cost of editing, design, printing, distribution,...

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week, the topic is one that most first-time authors must confront. Which type of publication is best for him or her? For authors navigating today's publishing landscape, choosing the right path requires more than enthusiasm—it demands clarity. Traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing each carry distinct values, financial models, and degrees of creative control. Let's unpack them, including a critical look at vanity publishing. (Figures given are industry averages based on AI research as of July 2025 availability; note that the publishing industry is volatile--any of the given figures could change considerably as time goes forward...

  Excerpt from Publishing for Smarties: Finding a Publisher Why Would You Want To Self-Publish  As an acquisitions editor for a small publisher, I have sometimes received proposals that clearly indicate that an author would be better off self-publishing. Typically, just one or two exchanges with that author will make that preference clear. Such authors will want full control of the book—cover, title, release date, size of the book, and the like. They will often even say something like, “I can take care of the editing; I just need the press to do the marketing.” Well, frankly, the industry does not work that way. Any press that is going to market the book is not going to turn over full control to an author, and any author that thinks he or she can manage full control in a quality fashion is clearly a neophyte. If an author cannot detach himself or herself emotionally from the “baby” (the proposed book), then no kind of functional working relationship will be able t...

   Breaking Barriers: Women Who Shaped the Literary Landscape As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's crucial to shine a light on the remarkable women who have transformed the publishing industry, breaking down barriers and reshaping the world of literature. From pioneering editors to groundbreaking authors and visionary publishers, women have been instrumental in bringing diverse voices and critical perspectives to bookshelves around the world. Pioneering Editors and Publishers The publishing industry owes much of its richness to women who took bold steps to amplify marginalized voices. Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, was also a pioneering publisher who fought censorship and published groundbreaking works on women's health and reproductive rights. In the early 20th century, women like Blanche Knopf co-founded Alfred A. Knopf Publishing, bringing innovative and daring literature to readers when many publishing houses were exclusively male-dominated. ...